Posted 07/08/2012 8:07 PM

No one man is bigger than the team. having said that, i havent heard Batum say anything. I have however read everything that his agent keeps saying is coming from Batum. All this nonsense about his heart being in Minnesota.I'll sleep the same whether he stays or goes, because i dont watch Batum, i watch the Portland Trailblazers. Whatever the case with him is, he needs to realize one thing, play your position. Thats it. Do your job. If his handles werent so suspect he could do more,but they arent, so he cant. Instead of tweeting what he hasnt said, he needs to be working on his game. And fire that alley cat hushpuppie shoe wearing crumbcake of an agent he has representing him. The man has been with us for 4 years and hasnt even sniffed at All Star status' door. Step your game up Nic and the keys to the city are yours. Otherwise, hush up and man up.

Posted 07/09/2012 2:13 AM

AMEN. The biggest problem is definitely Batum's agent, but if he's not going to do something to stop Ndaiye, then the least he should be doing is figuring out how to perform better in the NBA. I'm not sure if it's Nic or his agent that is so fixated on getting him a huge contract, but either way, it seems like they're wanting his NBA value to be set by what he's done in France. He plays tremendously for his national team, but he's hardly HALF as good when he's playing stateside. It's sad, because we know what he's capable of but we don't get to see it here. Could this really be all McMillan's fault, for having no offensive strategy and sticking Batum in the corner? Or is there maybe a little bit of hubris that's causing Nico to trip on his own feet?

Fire the agent first, but then get back to basketball, Nico. The only way you deserve the contract we're about to give you is if you can step up your game and be consistent about it. Can't wait to see it.

GO BLAZERS

Posted 07/09/2012 7:29 AM

He is not worth that much money. What has he really done for the blazers, seriously when was the last time we gave the ball to Batum down the stretch and he brought us home the win like Roy did. I can only remember one time. If he isn't a go to player at his position and with his 'skill' he is a role player and role players don't deserve 50 mil. contracts.

Posted 07/09/2012 4:53 PM

"the only direction to go is up"

True statement.  Do you pay 12mil to a guy for whom "the only direction to go is up"  Answer: HECK NO

The problem with Batum is not his agent.  It's also not the coaching, Crawford/Felton/LMA, minutes, and it's definitely not his comical agent.  The problem getting Batum signed is that he didn't accept a very reasonable 7.5 mil contract when he had the chance.  The problem is that despite the starting role dropping into his lap (he did not earn it) he couldn't manage to PLAY LIKE A STARTER.  The problem is that Batum is just not a very good basketball player.  It's compounded by the fact that he really believes he is.  

I hope he goes to Minn and grows a pair.  Maybe he will break out and prove me wrong.  If he doesn't though, watch the wolves in Minnesota tear him to pieces.  Safe to say, they won't be nearly as kind as the overly sentimental Portland fans.

Posted 07/09/2012 5:24 PM

The biggest problem is that you place a price tag on him and suddenly we're now talking about his value in dollars vs his ability.  My problem with batum is that he's not physical, nor assertive enough, but the guy is fluid, smooth, athletic, and he fits the small forward role well.  I also think the ceiling is high because he's not even come close to reaching his prime.  His ppg have increased each year he's been in the league, he's a better rebounder, and there's no reason to believe he won't continue to improve.  

I personally don't care about money; maybe I should, but I'm not the GM, I just want a team that can win ball games.  I know Batum has some chemistry with LA and Matthews and I doubt they want him gone.  Chemistry to me is a big thing because with at least 1 and maybe as many as 3 new starters and a whole revamped bench, this blazer team is going to be completely out of sync at times; they're going to look horrid and they will get blown out of many games.  Having a familiarity with one-another is a positive, and I personally think Batum is worth keeping, if for no other reason, chemistry.

Hopefully he gets more aggressive and plays more like an all-star... earns his paycheck, but I think it's unfair for fans to judge a player based on what he's making.  Personally, I don't think it's any of our business what players make because now all fans judge all players based on what they make.  And that's BS.  

The real question is whether or not he helps Portland
What Portland will do without him
If he continues to improve and make fans proud

Mostly I want to see Batum move without the ball better.  But I'd also like to see more motion in the portland offense altogether, so I don't completely blame Batum.  In my opinion, he's done what's been asked of him and he's become a better and better scorer.  I remember the game when he came back from an injury and hit like 7 tre's.  I really like when he shows his versatility by driving around guys and dunking because in my opinion, he's a very under-rated leaper.  He can get up and throw it down, and he looks almost like Clyde Drexler doing so... clyde the glyde.

The BIGGEST problem facing Batum is whether or not he WANTS to be here.  Because I don't want a guy under contract for the next 4 years who doesn't want to be here. 

If Portland is to match Minnesota, I hope it's to convince Batum this is home, and if he can't be convinced, then get something for him... trade his ass away.  Anyone who doesn't want to be here won't putforth effort night in and night out, and he'll be shredded by fans for his effort (or lack thereof) on a nightly basis.

Lastly, I don't listen to BS agents or the media say.  All ya'll get blinded by all these comments swirling around, but none of you are friends with or talk to Batum to know if he does or doesn't want to be here for sure.  I don't trust canzano, I saw that pompous dick on kgw the other day and I couldn't change the effen channel fast enough.  That bald-headed cancer to portland needs to be banished from the city... fans get blinded by his bullshit soapbox bullcrap and he's full of a ton of crap.   He's just a mr. know it all fat mouth.  Fuck him.  

I don't believe rumors, horseshit, or secondhand news.  I want Batum to come out and publicly tell us in front of a camera he does not want to be here, otherwise, it's just his agent playing the free agency game.

Posted 07/09/2012 5:30 PM

yeah, and to some of your points, who's friggen heart is in Minnesota?   Yeah, what players dream of being snow angels freezing their ass off in that god-forsaken state.  Please.  People dream of New York, Los Angeles, playing with King James, winning a championship, they don't dream of Minnesota.

If there's any truth to batum saying that at all, then I'd say he's not feeling loved in portland and he wants more.  Maybe he feels his role would be expanded in Minnesota, but he's got a prime opportunity to score even more ppg this upcoming season.  

I studied some Psychology, but I'm not a professional.  Still, if there's any truth to Batum dreaming about being in Minnesota, then I'd really hope he'd knock on my door so I can properly diagnose what's going through his messed up mind.

Posted 07/09/2012 6:55 PM

Not worth 12 mil. Anybody who says he is..... Lol Let Minny get stuck with an overpriced player. That would help move Klove out of Minny.

Posted 07/09/2012 7:35 PM

meanwhile portland has a gaping hole at SF, williams bought out, no bench, and free agents are slim pickins, so what's your brilliant plan when portland has no small forward?  

I'm really sick of fans backing the opinions of a fat mouth like canzano.  Think outside the box.

Posted 07/09/2012 8:29 PM

now with hibbert gone we have to get someone, might as well be batum

Posted 07/09/2012 8:52 PM

I hold a higher opinion of batum than most apparently.  I don't care about dollars and cents because I'm not in a position to make decisions based on such.  All I care about is winning games and having a team ensembled that can do such.  Batum averaged what, 14 points and 4 boards last year?  and hasn't he improved every year he's been in the league?  And hasn't he only been in the league like 4 years?

Stands a reason that his numbers should continue to improve.  I'd like to see other areas of his game improve, like getting more aggressive, and shoot with percentages like he has his 2nd year  (51% from floor, 41 from downtown).  

Most fans do seem to care about what players make though, and if Batum's retained, well, I hope he wants to be here and he's going to have to show some returns... his game will need to improve pretty dramatically... effort... blood, sweat and tears.

otherwise he's going to be shit on big time.  I still think all this "heart in minnesota" talk is garbage.  If Batum is signed, he'll have a press conference and talk about how much he loves portland, how he never wanted to leave, and blah blah blah.